Northern Idaho Veterinary Medicine Association Honors UI Researcher, Moscow Vet
Friday, April 16 2004
April 16, 2004^^MOSCOW – The Northern Idaho Veterinary Medical Association Thursday night presented Dirk Vanderwall, University of Idaho assistant professor and a member of the research team that produced the world’s first equine clone, with its highest honor – the George Oakshott Award.^The group also honored long-time Moscow veterinarian Margretta Kethler.^Named for retired veterinarian George Oakshott, now of Colville, Wash., the award is presented annually for “outstanding service to the veterinarian profession in northern Idaho.” The NIVMA has approximately 120 members from McCall north.^Vanderwall earned an associate degree from the State University of New York at Cobleskill, and his baccalaureate degree with distinction from Cornell University. While pursuing veterinary studies there in 1983, Vanderwall met Gordon Woods, then a professor at Cornell. Woods now directs the UI Northwest Equine Reproduction Laboratory and was the lead scientist in Project Idaho, which produced the world’s first clone of a member of the horse family, Idaho Gem.^Vanderwall earned his doctor of veterinary medicine degree in 1986, and then began working at one of the nation's largest Standardbred horse farms. He maintained his ties with Woods, deciding to pursue his graduate studies at UI. He earned a doctoral degree in animal physiology in 1992 at Moscow.^He pursued post-doctoral studies at the University of Kentucky for two years. He worked for Colorado State University as an assistant professor before joining the UI in 1999 as an assistant professor in the Department of Animal and Veterinary Science.^Vanderwall's responsibilities for the Northwest Equine Reproduction Laboratory include teaching and public service including continuing education and consulting with veterinarians and horse owners. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists, the association of veterinary reproduction specialists.^Dr. Kethler is a University of California-Davis graduate. She is past president of the NIVMA and the Idaho Veterinary Medical Association and recipient of the IVMA Veterinarian of the Year award. ^CONTACT: Kathy Barnard, University Communications, (208) 885-6291, kbarnard@uidaho.edu^-30- krb—4/16/04NERL==^
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